When a person’s senses are threatened, the primal fight or flight response is initiated in their central nervous system. In cases of severe trauma, this defense mechanism can become permanently activated and overwhelming for that individual. As a result, they may experience flashbacks to the traumatic event and remain trapped in an unceasing state of fear or dread.
Trauma is not limited to extreme or extended periods of distress, but rather can be initiated by anything that causes a person enough stress to experience an emotional reaction. What counts as traumatic varies between individuals. However, any kind of trauma may result in long-term psychological impacts.
Have you or someone close to you been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or experienced trauma? Our caring intake team wants to help. Reach out today at 508.794.8711 and discover how our dedicated mental health professionals can assist in your journey toward healing from the effects of this condition. You don’t have to take on this challenge alone—take advantage of our specialized PTSD treatment for guidance and support.
The Effect of Trauma On Mental Well-Being
Extensive studies on the results and treatment of trauma have shown that traumatic episodes can cause enduring physical and psychological effects, which may involve:
- Altered sense of meaning in life
- Heightened activity in the part of the brain that interprets threat and danger
- Sympathetic nervous system dominance, which can lead to hyper-vigilance with a sensitive startle response, agitation, anxiety, reduction in heart rate variability, heart palpitations, or difficulty sleeping
- Nightmares
- Sense of disconnection from one’s self and one’s own body, including poor self-care
- Tendency to relive (flashbacks) or reenact the traumatic events and distress upon exposure to anything that serves as a reminder of the events
- A sense of disconnection or dissociation from others or the environment
- Social withdrawal, including significant difficulty trusting others, even a spouse or partner
- Trouble controlling emotions
- Aggressive impulses based on an overactive sense of needing to defend oneself
- Confusion and/or inhibition in the area of sexuality
- Disruption in the functioning of the centers of the brain that involve higher order, abstract thinking (including planning and prioritizing) and that regulate attention and concentration
What to Expect in PTSD Therapy in MA
Our PTSD treatment is designed to provide a comprehensive healing experience for those who have undergone trauma. To ensure that each individual obtains the most beneficial outcome, we customize therapy plans consisting of strategies tailored to their specific needs, such as:
- Processing the emotional impact of the traumatic events in order to make greater sense of experiences that have produced significant pain and confusion
- Body-awareness exercises to facilitate the effective processing of emotions and reconnection with one’s own body
- Referral, if necessary, for a medication evaluation (available at our practice)
- Development of effective coping skills for regulating emotional states and physiology and for improving lifestyle habits
Our holistic approach to working with trauma survivors allows them to heal and restore healthy mind-body functioning, releasing the pain of their pasts so they can joyfully live in the present.
Learn More About Northeast Health Services’ Trauma-Informed PTSD Treatment
If you believe you or someone you care about is experiencing the lingering effects of trauma, contact Northeast Health Services today at 508.794.8711 to learn how our PTSD treatment in Massachusetts can help.